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Randolph County Senior Center hosting annual Bazaar this week

The Inter-Mountain photo by Brooke Hinzman Elkins native Leonard Whritenour sells his wooden bowls during the Randolph County Senior Bazaar at the Randolph County Senior Center this week.

ELKINS — The Randolph County Senior Center annually hosts the annual Randolph County Senior Bazaar the week of the Mountain State Forest Festival.

At the bazaar, several senior community members sell handmade items to patrons.

Elkins native Leonard Whritenour sold wooden bowls at the event and has been woodworking all his life — most seriously since his retirement five years ago.

“It’s something to do,” he said.

According to Whritenour, his favorite part of woodworking is the finished product. “You never know what you’re going to end up with. It’s always a surprise.”

He additionally noted that his favorite part of the Forest Festival is the Lumberjack Contest that takes place on Saturday morning.

Gloria Lucas sold crocheted goods at the annual bazaar and has been crocheting since she was 13 years old.

“My mother had 11 children, so we had to learn how to play with things and learn things for a cheap price, so she taught us how to crochet and knit. Each year, we would get yarn in our stockings for Christmas. I would make things and unravel and make things and unravel.

“It’s my passion,” said Lucas.

She said her favorite part about crocheting is being able to spend time with herself and the Lord.

“I do a lot of praying, and I just love the loneliness and the quietness of it — trying to create something out of a ball of yarn.”

Patty Broschart sold jewelry at the event. She began creating about two and a half years ago after her sister “told (her she) needed something to do.”

“I tried other things, and I just love jewelry,” said Broschart. “It keeps my hands going, especially in the winter. In the winter, I can sit and see that I’m doing something.”

The Senior Bazaar will continue today and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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